Hyderabad Police Initiates Action Against Social Media Users Over Alleged Offensive Posts About PM Modi

Legal Action Taken Against Social Media Users

The Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad have filed two cases against certain social media users and the head of Meta India following complaints from BJP workers regarding allegedly offensive posts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The complaints were lodged after a member of the Telangana BJP's social media core committee submitted a report on July 29, leading to the registration of FIRs under various sections of the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code. A police official informed a news agency on Friday that these cases target those who posted the content and those who permitted it on social platforms.

The first case involves users on Instagram and Facebook, as well as the head of Meta India. The complainant has requested an investigation into specific Instagram accounts that reportedly made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi. The complaint suggests that such content appears to promote discussions that undermine the country's sovereignty, integrity, and public order.

N.V. Subhash, the chief spokesperson for the Telangana BJP, called for immediate legal action against those responsible for the offensive posts aimed at Prime Minister Modi during the NEET question paper leak protests. He emphasized that the core of this issue raises a fundamental constitutional question: whether repeated and organized public derogatory comments against a person in a constitutional position fall within the realm of free speech or constitute actionable misconduct. In a statement, Subhash noted that while the Constitution protects freedom, it does not justify breaking the law. He added that with rights come responsibilities, and accountability arises when legal boundaries are allegedly crossed.